Review Services
We should regularly review the services and programs the Town provides to determine whether they remain necessary, and whether the current service level makes sense for a community of our size.
READ MY PLAN
Building a stronger Grand Valley for tomorrow.
Responsible fiscal management. Practical decision making. A clear focus on the future while preserving the past.
OUR HOME. YOUR FUTURE.
A practical plan for Grand Valley.
I believe good municipal leadership starts with fiscal accountability, listening to residents and making decisions balanced on what our community needs today and where we are going tomorrow.
My approach is built on continuing to listen to those in the community, making sure we are doing everything we reasonably can to manage municipal costs, deliver value and strengthen the revenue base that supports our community.
FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Review Services. Find Efficiencies. Drive Business Growth.
Find Efficiencies
For the services we continue to provide, we should examine how they are delivered and look for cost savings, better processes and more efficient ways to achieve the same or better results.
Drive Business Growth
A broader commercial and industrial assessment base can generate additional municipal revenue and help reduce the amount of pressure placed on residential taxpayers.
Fiscal responsibility means understanding the numbers, questioning costs and making sure every dollar can be accounted for. That has been a consistent focus of mine on Grand Valley Council, and it would remain a priority as Mayor.
As Mayor, I will work to stabilize tax increases closer to inflation and work to ensure residents get the best return on their tax dollars as possible.
PLANNING FOR MORE GROWTH
Matching our decisions to the pace of growth.
Grand Valley is growing and will continue to grow. But growth does not always happen at the same pace.
The Town added services and made investments during a period when rapid development was expected to continue. Housing starts have slowed, and that means some of those decisions need to be reevaluated in the current market conditions.
We should evaluate where we are now, what residents need today and what services will be required in the short term. Planning ahead is important, but so is making evaluating the return on investment that taxpayers are getting.
We should also be proactive about attracting businesses and investment. More business growth means more local opportunity and a stronger tax base to help support municipal services that the residential developments rely on. Residential growth requires the greatest amount of servicing, and therefore it's critical to drive business growth to offset those needed services.
MY PRIORITIES FOR GRAND VALLEY
Practical priorities for our community.
Support Seniors
Work to attract a long-term care home in our community so seniors have a better chance to remain in Grand Valley.
Support Community-Led Initiatives
Work with volunteers in the community to empower them to lead community-led initiatives that improve the way of life. This would reduce the need for programs paid by tax dollars.
Bring People Together
Create more opportunities for residents to come together through community events and shared spaces.
Improve Parks
Continue to expand and improve parks and playgrounds.
Protect Farmland
As Grand Valley grows, we must protect productive farmland as much as possible and plan responsibly for the future.
Celebrate Volunteers
Establish a yearly volunteer awards ceremony and celebrate the people who give their time to our community.
LEADERSHIP MATTERS
How I believe a Mayor should lead.
Listens
A good Mayor balances listening to what residents say when decisions are made with the vision and long term goals of what is beneficial for the town.
Finds Compromise
A good Mayor works and builds support for practical solutions that move Grand Valley forward, while balancing the costs to the taxpayer.
Is Decisive
A good Mayor is prepared to provide direction, make decisions and keep Council focused on its strategic plan that residents expect us to deliver on.
A RECORD OF ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY & COMMUNICATION
Putting those principles into practice.
Focused on the numbers and asking tough questions
I do the homework and ask the tough questions. I read the reports that come to Council and come prepared with questions and discussion points. Recommendations to Council need to be balanced with the Town’s needs.
Getting Council meetings online
As part of the last term, I pushed to have meetings online and video recorded so people can view what Council is discussing. I have been open about my views, consistent in how I vote and prepared to explain the reasoning behind my decisions.
Pushing for public consultation and open houses
I advocated for town halls and public budget meetings and more accessible information, context and communication through email and social media. As Mayor, I will commit to holding a Mayor’s Town Hall and providing a public Mayor’s update after Council meetings.
Working with the businesses already here
As Mayor, I would work collaboratively with local businesses and work to attract new businesses to town.
EXPERIENCE & ACCOUNTABILITY
Prepared to do the work.
As a business owner, I understand the importance of controlling costs and being accountable for results. As a sales executive, I have built a career around relationships, negotiation and finding practical solutions. I am ready to take these skills and apply them to the role of Mayor.
During more than five years on Grand Valley Council, one of my strengths has been focusing on the numbers and fiscal accountability — asking questions, understanding costs and making sure tax dollars are spent wisely and with accountability.
I have served as a Board Member with both AMO and ROMA, giving me experience advocating for municipal priorities and building relationships with municipal and provincial leaders. Building a collaborative team with different people to execute goals and a vision is imperative to the Mayor's role.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS